Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-02-14

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Bungalow in occupied Klepini, a car and free weekend in Istanbul the incentives to foreigners to buy stolen properties in occupied Cyprus.

[02] Erdogan proposes to President Papadopoulos to solve the Cyprus problem over a coffee drink in occupied Cyprus.

[03] Talat speaks about human rights and international law for the Turkish occupation army and the Turkish colonizers.

[04] The fact that Turkey wants to keep Cyprus as a trump-card until its full accession to the EU is seen as the most important obstacle for a solution.

[05] Mr Serdar Denktas will start an initiative to stop Mr Papadopoulos' policy on the Cyprus problem.

[06] The distribution of seats in the TGNA after independent deputy joined TPP.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in ZAMAN assesses Gunduz Aktan´s article in RADIKAL where he supported that the Kurds have committed a war crime in KIRKUK and compares Northern Iraq to Cyprus

[08] Columnist assesses Donald Rumsfeld´s statement that Turkey's refusal to allow US forces through its territory gave time to Saddam Huseyin to organize the Iraqi resistance.

[09] Although Turkey caused delay to the operation against Saddam, columnist expresses fear that others too might eat America's cream.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A small bungalow in occupied Klepini, a land rover freelander and free weekend in Istanbul the incentives to foreigners to buy stolen properties of EU citizens in occupied Cyprus

At a time when the Turks, seconded by the British and Americans who need them for Iraq, are trying to persuade the world that the innocent Greek Cypriots, who offered to the Turkish Cypriots more than to their displaced compatriots, are keeping the occupied by more than 40,000 Turkish troops area of Cyprus in isolation from the rest of the world, international speculators and criminals are rushing to the occupied areas breaking the 'embargo and isolation' and exploiting the properties of poor Greek Cypriots living in temporary housing estates for over 30 years waiting in vain to be allowed by the Turkish troops to return to their ancestral homes and properties.

Turkish Cypriot weekly 'Cyprus Today' newspaper (12-18.02.05) publishes advertisements by a large number of developers and estate agents who offer, inter alia, a 'Free Weekend Holiday in Istanbul expenses paid when you purchase a property 80K and over', compensations and prizes for the first 50 purchasers of property from their company. The prizes include:

- First Prize : A small bungalow situated at Klepini valued at '¤69,950

- Second Prize : A new land rover freelander valued at '¤23,000

- Third Prize : A voucher valued at '¤5,000 for a purchase of car from a certain company.

More interesting, however, is the following advertisement:

'Are you worried?

Are you worried about purchasing a property in Northern Cyprus because of the confusion surrounding the Annan Plan?

Worried that former Greek Cypriot land may be subject to a compensation claim?

Are you concerned that you may have to enter into lengthy and expensive legal proceedings that you can´t afford?

Worried that you may lose your dream home in Northern Cyprus?

Well Don't be

We can announce that if you have purchased or are thinking of purchasing a property from (name of developer) then in the unlikely event of a claim for compensation being upheld (name of developer) will pay the compensation,

NOT YOU. FEEL BETTER NOW?'

Name, telephone, fax, e-mail and internet address are provided for further information.

All these take place at a time when the President of the EU Commission invited the occupation regime´s so-called Prime Minister to discuss the 'isolation' of the Turkish Cypriots and Americans are about to land, in the properties usurped the force of arms from their legal Greek Cypriot owners, with the pretext of helping the Turkish Cypriots break their 'isolation'.

[02] Erdogan proposes to President Papadopoulos to solve the Cyprus problem over a coffee drink in occupied Cyprus

The paper reports that Erdogan has extended his invitation to President Papadopoulos, through DYSI leader Nicos Anastasiades, during their meeting yesterday.

Erdogan said to Anastasiades: 'I have been informed that Mr Papadopoulos wants to meet me. I am ready for a meeting. Let him come to North Cyprus, sit down face to face and while sipping our coffee, solve this problem. If he accepts next week I will go to north Cyprus'.

Erdogan further said that Turkey has done what it could do, and he criticized President Papadopoulos and said: 'However, Mr Papadopoulos, having the EU behind him, is refusing to come into term for any solution. For a new solution process the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, has asked few things from him. He is refusing to give these by saying: 'But Annan does not demand these from Turkey. We are not his proper respondent. It is the `Prime Minister of the TRNC´ Mehmet Ali Talat. If Annan wants the same thing from Talat, he will immediately send it'.

[03] Talat speaks about human rights and international law for the Tukrish occupation army and the colonizers as if the Greek Cypriots have no human rights because the international community has abandoned them

Recalling that European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barosso sent him a letter three days ago, Talat said: ''Mr Barosso says in his letter that he is willing to start talks with us in a near future. When he visited the Greek Cypriot side on October 15th, 2004, Barosso had also conveyed his desire verbally. Now, we are trying to set an appropriate date for such a meeting.''

Illegal BRT-1 TV (11.02.05) broadcast that in a statement to Anatolia News Agency, Talat stated that he did not know the results of the DYSI talks with JDP officials in Ankara. The visit is useful, he said, adding: 'The visit is very important in terms of interparty dialogue but it should not lead to the false impression in the Greek Cypriot sector that they can solve the Cyprus problem with Turkey. Unfortunately, we hear that there is such a tendency in the Greek Cypriot side.'

Ankara Anatolia (A.A) (12.02.05) further reported from occupied Lefkosia that Mr Talat replied to questions of A.A correspondent on Saturday.

Upon a question about the demand of Greek Cypriot parties for the withdrawal of the occupation army and the Turkish colonizers from Cyprus, Talat said: ''Both issues are parts of the solution and they will be discussed on the table.

The Greek Cypriot administration prevented the decrease of the number of Turkish soldiers in Cyprus to 650. Their making a proposal in this issue is very illogical and unhealthy.

Thus, I even do not want to discuss this issue. We will discuss it when we sit on the table for solution. This is not today's problem. The Greek Cypriot side said 'no' to solution which was including the decrease of the number of soldiers in the island. They will also gain what solution envisions by saying 'no'. Such an anomaly cannot be accepted.

Regarding the issue of citizens of Turkish origin, the envisage of Annan Plan still exists, and we will also discuss it on the table. However, this issue should be assessed in line with human rights and international law, and in the aspect of people of Turkish origin in Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots as a whole. This is a part of negotiation and solution.''

Ankara Anatolia (13.02.05) again reported from occupied Lefkosia that Mr Talat left for Brussels to meet European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

The puppet regime´s so-called Press and Public Relations Directorate stated on Sunday that Talat will meet Barrosso on Monday.

Talat and Barroso will discuss difficulties in Direct Trade Regulation and Financial Assistance Regulation.

Talat and the accompanying delegation will return to the occupied areas of Cyprus on Monday night.

[04] The fact that Turkey wants to keep Cyprus as a trump-card in its hands until its full accession to the EU and the lack of sufficient will for a solution to the Cyprus problem on its behalf is seen as the most important obstacle for a solution

Under the title 'The results of the 'workshop' organized by the Chamber of Commerce', Mr Ergun refers to a workshop organized by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce at Merit Hotel under the title 'What could be done for reaching a solution which the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots could accept before Turkey begin accession negotiations with the EU'.

Mr Ergun says that a 27-member group consisting of businessmen, representatives on civilian organizations and academicians have participated in this workshop, which lasted two days. Mr Ergun notes that the participants in the workshop discussed the obstacles to reaching a solution until 3 October 2005 and steps that must be made for reaching a quick solution.

The Turkish Cypriot columnist writes, inter alia, the following:

''¦I think that the people should evaluate well the conclusions while going to vote. The conclusions of the workshop that I am going to write below are in short summary, unrefined and according to their importance.

A. The obstacles for reaching a solution until 3 October:

1. The fact that Turkey wants to keep Cyprus as a trump-card in its hands until its final accession to the EU and the fact that it has no sufficient will for a solution.

2. The fact that the Greek Cypriots do not accept the form of the common state of the Annan Plan and that because of their strong economy they want to give the Turkish Cypriot community rights under the political equality.

3. The fact that the Greek Cypriots know that Turkey will need them during its negotiations process with the EU and that they want to use them in their favour.

4. The fact that after the referendum the EU and the UN made no openings to the north that could make the Greek Cypriots feel uncomfortable (embargoes and isolations etc)'¦.

7. The fact that it is not known who and in what way will pay the cost of the solution.

9. The fact that those who prevent the solution are legitimised in the north (with the RTP '" DP collation).

10. The lack of political power brought about by the economic dependence in the north.

B. The steps that must be made for an early solution:

1. As a result of the elections the parties that are sincere and firm in supporting 'the Annan Plan and the Solution and the EU vision' to form a strong government and make openings to overcome the concerns of the Greek Cypriots without retreating from the rights the Turkish Cypriots gained in the plan.

2. Declaring the Turkish Cypriot State provided for in the Annan Plan in a convenient situation after the elections and turning over the 'actual and real control' in the north to the Turkish Cypriot authorities so that the political bonuses in the international community to be increased and many legal obstacles in front of Turkey to be overcome. '¦

4. The creation of an army of much more civilian organizations, academicians and intellectuals and exert pressure on external factors.

6. With our state and civilian organizations to convince the state of Turkey, its government and its public opinion on the issue of the need we feel for a solution. '¦

9. To make a serious lobby especially in Russia, China and the USA through Turkey's Foreign Ministry, for turning the report of the UN Secretary '" General into a resolution of the Security Council.

10. With the signing of the Ankara Agreement by Turkey to include the Republic of Cyprus, we have to extend the customs union to the whole island and therefore we have to give the administration of our customs to the control of the EU. In brief we have to ensure the inclusion of the north in the Ankara Agreement. '¦'.

[05] Mr Serdar Denktas will start an initiative to stop Mr Papadopoulos' policy on the Cyprus problem

Mr Serdar said: 'Mr Papadopoulos should give up his attitude ignoring everyone, and preventing a solution in the island. His rejection of the UN Secretary-General Annan's invitation is an unacceptable attitude. His irresponsibility damaged the prestige of Annan. In fact, not only Annan's, but also the UN Security Council's prestige was harmed. Papadopoulos, who rejected a solution plan supported by the whole world, should not be allowed to continue his actions any longer. I call on permanent members of the UN Security Council to take action to this end. I want to hold talks with ambassadors of these countries. UN Security Council should condemn Papadopoulos without wasting time, and force him to act in line with requests of UN Secretary-General Annan'.

Mr Serdar Denktas went on by saying that this behaviour of Mr Papadopoulos cannot be continued and for this reason he will ask for a meeting with the ambassadors of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. He will inform them about the strategy and what they must do in order to be able to push Mr Papadopoulos in the negotiation table again. Mr Serdar added: 'This cannot be continued like that and this duty falls to the permanent members of the Security Council'.

[06] The distribution of seats in the TGNA after independent deputy joined TPP

Balandi resigned from the Justice and Development Party (JDP) on December 30th, 2004.

Latest distribution of seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) is as follows:

Justice and Development Party (JDP): 367

Republican People's Party (RPP)....: 171

True Path Party (TPP)..............: 5

Vacant.............................: 1

Independent........................: 6

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in ZAMAN assesses Gunduz Aktan´s article in RADIKAL where he supported that the Kurds have committed a war crime in KIRKUK by transferring Kurds for the Iraqi elections and compares Northern Iraq to Cyprus

He then refers to an article by former Turkish ambassador Gunduz Aktan in RADIKAL newspaper (see Turkish Mass Media Bulletin, 03.02.05, B item 1) regarding Kirkuk, as the obvious example of this weakness.

In his article Gunduz Aktan tries to draw parallels between the Cyprus problem and Kirkuk, and the Turkomans living there to that of the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus and tacitly gives a 'green light' to a possible Turkish Military invasion to north Iraq.

Mahchupyan writes that in order to make such an invasion legitimate Aktan puts forward some 'facts' and quotes Aktan as saying: 'This Kurdish statelet with a view to including Kirkuk within its boundaries has burned down title-deed and identity-card documents and after that, by committing a `war crime´, transferred people to the territory that it occupied, and thus as a result of this the elections in Kirkuk have become illegitimate'.

Mahcupyan goes on and says: 'Well, did not we hear these accusations as regards Cyprus? Are not these the basis for the Greek Cypriot accusations directed to Turkey? Is there anything left behind the land Registry-Department of Kyrenia? It is possible that one could tailor the facts of his own liking and engage in nationalism for domestic consumption. You can underestimate others by branding them statelets. By relying on your power it is possible that you can turn a blind-eye or a deaf ear to ethical concerns'¦ All these show the mentality of the person in question. However, a country having the dimensions of Turkey, in order to be result-oriented in the international level, it has to demonstrate the minimum moral consistency and doing away with its pride'.

[08] Columnist assesses Donald Rumsfeld´s statement that Turkey´s refusal to allow US forces through its territory gave time to Saddam Huseyin to organize the Iraqi resistance

'US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has blamed the ongoing resistance in Iraq on Turkey. He said: "Our Fourth Infantry Division could not enter Iraq after a government motion on Iraq was rejected in Turkey and thus Sunnite units loyal to Saddam were able to organize insurgency in that region."

It was actually a great compliment. If Turkey did not allow itself to be used as a tool to shed blood in a neighboring country as a result of an unjustifiable invasion, it could only be proud of that rather than being embarrassed.

The Turkish public has been occupying the top place in the list of "nations hating the United States most" for some time. What is the reason behind that feeling? Has the Turkish nation always harbored anti-American feelings?

The answer is no. It would be unfair to assert that the Turkish people have always hated Uncle Sam despite the fact that it had a hand in every military takeover; it was involved in every incident, including the massacre in Maras and the bloody 1 May demonstration in Istanbul; interfered in every internal affair of Turkey ranging from training of our torturers and poppy cultivation; and some unforgettable events such as President Johnson's letter.

You should recall Clinton's visit. The former President walked freely among people in the region hit by a strong earthquake and created a very positive impression before leaving our country.

If an old ally has turned into a foe during the Bush presidency, there should be other reasons such as the lie that "there were weapons of mass destruction; scenes of torture and occupation, which prompted an angry backlash from the whole international community, especially from the Islamic countries; the sacks put over the heads of Turkish soldiers; cartoons published by the American press, which portrayed Turkey as a prostitute selling itself for money; the plot being hatched in Kirkuk; the United States' cooperation with the Workers Party of Kurdistan; the threatening statements of the US Ambassador, who has been voicing persistent demands about Incirlik; the aggressive policies being pursued by the neo-cons, which triggered armed conflicts across the world; and the bold approach, which led to appointment of a man, who openly advocated torture, Attorney General.

The United States has created a great trouble in Iraq. It will soon leave Iraq, but the country will continue to suffer from that trouble.

The secular government in Iraq has been overthrown. The Shiites, who have emerged victorious from the election, now campaign for a constitution based on sharia. Washington, which has been trying to curb the influence of radical Islam in the Middle East, has started to realize only a short time ago that it triggered a process, which will make people to yearn for Saddam's era. The current situation resembles the scenes shown in pictures of mud-wrestling female American soldiers.

You should not pay attention to arguments that the United States is a superpower and it would, therefore, be in our best interests to maintain good relations with it.

A defeat to be suffered by Bush's fundamentalist policies would also serve as a lesson to those pursuing expansionist policies. This is the only thing that could mend the United States' relations not only with Ankara, but the whole world.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has asked Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to intervene in order to change the negative opinions of the Turkish public about the United States.

I would humbly suggest that they should end the occupation in Iraq.

A subsequent parade of American troops with sacks put over their heads during celebrations marking "liberation of Baghdad from invasion" could contribute to improvement of Uncle Sam's tarnished image in Turkey.

If they believe that this could take some time, I have a simpler proposal that could help them command sympathy in the meantime.

If they give our streets, which they closed to traffic by constructing high walls around their embassies and consulates because of their fears, back to us and leave our pavements, it would be a promising start'.

[09] Although Turkey in fact contributed to the failure of the US operation against Saddam, columnist expresses fear that others too might eat America´s cream

'On the one hand there are those who say: "These days, the wolves who have established monarchy have begun to expel smoke from their mouths even when they sleep at night... So let us be careful: The Bush administration in the United States could set us at odds with our neighbor Iran, with whom we have not had problems in 350 years."

They are warning us. And what they are saying is clear.

But on the other hand there are those who are still saying "Why didn't we make bases available to the US military?.. Why didn't we send our own troops into Iraq alongside the US troops?.. We made a great mistake... If we hadn't made this mistake, now what we said would also mean something."

This is also a viewpoint. And I respect it.

But time is the best referee. It shows who is right and who is wrong. Time is showing us that those who have been proven right are those who said "Let us be careful... The Bush administration in the United States is trying to drag us into the quagmire of the Middle East, and into indelible shame in the eyes of the world public, who will say that 'The Turks have become mercenaries for America, and have occupied a neighboring country.'"

They were proven right because when the US military went into Iraq, and when they asked in the first [military authorization] motion for new bases, ports, and troops, they made it absolutely plain that they were not going to let our military into Northern Iraq. They were going to put them into the region of conflict where three American soldiers are dying every 24 hours, and where hundreds of Iraqi civilians have lost their lives. And even if we had sent our troops there, they would never have said "Let's topple Saddam [Husayn], and we'll give you a share of the oil of Kirkuk, and we'll let you clean the PKK [Workers' Party of Kurdistan] out of the Qandil Mountains, as well as teach a lesson to [Patriotic Union of Kurdistan -- PUK -- leader Jalal] Talabani and [Kurdistan Democratic Party -- KDP -- leader Mas'ud] Barzani."

Let us be realistic. The United States did not say it yesterday. It is not saying it today. And it is not going to say it tomorrow, either.

After all, who would ever expect the United States to attack and invade Iraq with the whole world against it, take control of its oil resources, and then say to Turkey "Come right in, and take the oil of Kirkuk as well..."?

You would have to be an idiot to believe this. Or else someone who has been deceived!

Furthermore, it is very shameful to say "We would have had a seat at the table... We would have had a say in the restructuring of Iraq." This is also hurting, and leads to a buildup of animosity towards Turkey. Because what was laid out on the table was the corpse of Iraq... No matter in what language such things might be said, do they not in fact mean "We could have gotten together with the United States and joined in dividing up the corpse of Iraq"?

From Alexander the Great... To Mehmed the Conqueror... And from Mehmed to Napoleon... And from the First World War'¦ To the Second World War...

History has shown us that "Whoever does the killing gets to divide up the corpse", and does not leave it to others. Do you really think that they are going to say to Barzani and Talabani, who stood behind the back of the United States and, by acting as jackals for it, are trying to form a so-called state, "We are leaving Iraq now; you take the oil of Kirkuk", and thus let the Kurds skim off America's cream [i.e., get the benefit of what America has done]?

Let us be realistic. To have an eye on "the leftover parts of the corpse" both diminishes us and leads to a buildup of enmity throughout the world toward those who have such a mentality'.

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